Jonathan Tracey

Kimberly Lark
History 134
06/15/2015
Early Islamic Art Forms
Islamic culture has a large variety of art forms. These art forms typically did not focused
on religion, but the society as a whole. The art work shares many similarities to artwork in other
areas of the world. Islamic art was influenced greatly by Roman, Christian, and Sassanian1 art.
Islamic art has distinct patterns in each art form. An example would be a pattern referred to as
arabesque2. Various art forms include rugs, paintings, ceramics, calligraphy, architecture and
glass.
Persian rugs have many uses and have been an Islamic art form for a long period of time. Most
people around the world use the rug as a house decoration. The oriental rugs are use commonly
in Islamic prayer. They typically are laid out and are the common location for daily prayer. The
rugs also serve a purpose as a main export of Islam. This art form have been spreading across
cultures since the Medieval Period.
A lot of architecture in Islam is beautifully crafted. Many buildings date back to the
Umayyad Dynasty. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is a great example of early architecture.
1 Sassanid art, refers to the art prevalent under the Sasanian dynasty of Iran which ruled from

the 3rd to 7th centuries AD.

2 The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on

rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often
combined with other elements.

The shape and structural components are an artwork in itself. The building consists of raised
platforms, columns, a central structure with a bejeweled ring and decorated staircases. The
interior consists of mosaics that are similar to those of the Byzantine Empire. Architecture also
contained geometric patterns of tiling. The tiling pattern often took shape of the object and
contained bright colors, such as light blue. Reception halls, baths and housing for caliphs often
were built in luxury.
Islam production of artworks was prolific. The art created was a major export and source
of income for Islam. Islamic art has spread its influence across the globe. Its distinct patterns and
use of colors set it apart from many art forms of different culture. The art created took much time
and a lot of precision.

Works Cited

Canby, Sheila R. Islamic Art in Detail. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard UP, 2005. Print.
Levy, Janey. Islamic Art: Recognizing Geometric Ideas in Art. New York: Rosen Pub.
Group, 2007. Print.
Nuseibeh, Said, and Oleg Grabar. The Dome of the Rock. New York: Rizzoli, 1996.
Print.
Ruggles, D. Fairchild. Islamic Art and Visual Culture: An Anthology of Sources. Malden,
MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Print.